Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysToronto Int'l Film FestivalHispanic Heritage MonthIMDb Stars to WatchSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
IMDbPro

My Big Break

  • 2009
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 41m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
137
YOUR RATING
My Big Break (2009)
In this unflinching documentary, director Tony Zierra captures the surprising changes in the lives of his aspiring actor roommates over ten years. Incredibly, three of them get their Big Break when he's filming, while the fourth is nearly destroyed by watching the others become stars. "My Big Break" is a rare look at how people can be changed forever, but not necessarily for better, when their dreams come true.
Play trailer0:51
1 Video
2 Photos
Documentary

Documentary that captures celebrity in the making and the unsettling effects of fame on five friends who share a house in Hollywood.Documentary that captures celebrity in the making and the unsettling effects of fame on five friends who share a house in Hollywood.Documentary that captures celebrity in the making and the unsettling effects of fame on five friends who share a house in Hollywood.

  • Director
    • Tony Zierra
  • Stars
    • Wes Bentley
    • Chad Lindberg
    • Brad Rowe
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.7/10
    137
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Tony Zierra
    • Stars
      • Wes Bentley
      • Chad Lindberg
      • Brad Rowe
    • 11User reviews
    • 7Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    My Big Break
    Trailer 0:51
    My Big Break

    Photos1

    View Poster

    Top cast15

    Edit
    Wes Bentley
    Wes Bentley
    • Self
    Chad Lindberg
    Chad Lindberg
    • Self
    Brad Rowe
    Brad Rowe
    • Self
    Gregory Fawcett
    Gregory Fawcett
    • Self
    Tony Zierra
    • Self
    Ivana Chubbuck
    • Self
    Lee Daniels
    Lee Daniels
    • Self
    Alex Ebert
    Alex Ebert
    • Self
    Sandra Fawcett
    • Self
    Amy Galaudet
    • Self
    Jennifer Quanz
    • Self
    Mark Schaller
    • Self
    Mark Skelly
    • Self
    Kevin Spacey
    Kevin Spacey
    • Self
    Andrew Tsao
    Andrew Tsao
    • Self
    • Director
      • Tony Zierra
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews11

    7.7137
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    10jmjenab-1

    You must see this movie!

    Tony Zierra has pulled back the curtain and challenges anything you might think you know about Hollywood. This raw roller-coaster of a ride follows the fates of 4 actors from when they first set foot in Hollywood. The meteoric rise of three, the gut-wrenching pain of the fourth as he watches his friends succeed. It is a must-see for anyone who has ever thought about entering the world of television or movies. It will leave you conflicted, but glad that you had this unique view into the lives of these men. Kudos to Mr. Zierra for continuing to fight the fight and for finally getting this movie released, and grateful thanks to the rest of the group for allowing us this exquisitely personal look into their lives.
    10SillyGayBoy

    Moving and real

    A documentary about 4 people wanting to make it in Hollywood. This is a goal for a lot of people, and not everyone can make it happen. These 4 in an apartment end up with more success then what anyone would expect, but Hollywood can chew people up and spit them out.

    Along with success comes not having more success to follow it, as well as other dilemmas. People assume a big break would be so amazing but when success hits too hard to fast it can be overwhelming. Lives can change too drastically and not always for the better.

    A very well done documentary with such candid interviews told so well. Wes is by far my favorite but there was a lot of insight all around. I would recommend to anyone but particularly those interested in acting or interested in the psychology behind it, and rising to fame.

    As I write this it seems the only way to watch is buying on their website in a digital download format.

    http://www.mybigbreakmovie.com
    9bardicvoice

    Unvarnished Reality: Hollywood Straight Up

    This unflinchingly honest documentary about four young up-and-coming actors sharing a house with the young filmmaker captures the exuberant whirl of unexpected success, the soul-destroying weight of persistent defeat, the constant pressure of being only as good as your next role, and the difficulty of portraying the unvarnished truth about any career in Hollywood. It runs the gamut from funny to excruciatingly painful, and the truth on display is sometimes hard to watch precisely because it is so searing. This should be required viewing for anyone setting their sights on an acting career, and for anyone who wants to know the reality behind the tabloids, talk shows, and entertainment magazine reports on Hollywood successes and failures.

    Viewers should be aware that the film includes nudity and some profanity - this is not a film for children - but none of it is there just for effect. It's there because it's part of the story; part of the truth.

    If you watch this film, you'll come away both sadder and wiser. It's well worth both the time and the emotional cost.
    10MGMboy

    The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of.

    "My Big Break" is an astonishing achievement in documentary film-making. In telling the true story of the struggles of four actors and one filmmaker trying to make it in Hollywood one might say this is the most raw, honest, and enduring tale of tinsel town since the mythic and fictional "Sunset Blvd." It not only chronicles the rise of three young actors to sudden breathtaking fame but also the flat line of the fourths attempts at a career. And of course what the film is ultimately presenting is the fascinating tale of the film itself being made and trying to make it within the insular and cannibalistic land of the lotus-eaters. Brilliantly shot, edited and narrated by director Tony Zierra this is a must see for anyone with the slightest interest in Hollywood behind the scenes. (Or in pursuing a career there.) It is harrowing, funny, and deeply moving. I never expected to get sucked in by this but I must admit by the last entry from Wes Bentley juxtaposed by what the ultimate outcome of the tale turned out to be, well I nearly wept at the loss that was presented. Whether it is Hollywood, Hong Kong or San Francisco and you are a movie star, or an average Joe on the street it all boils down to what life is and what it can do to a dream and ultimately the dreamer. The score for the film is by a young rising talent out of Liverpool, David Ben Shannon. His contribution to the film is impressive. The score ranges from hip Hollywood sound to a few well places musical homage to films of the past. See if you can spot them. The score soars and supports the film just where and when it needs to. Overall a fine debut by an artist we will be hearing more from in the future. And I am sure more great things will come from Director Tony Zierra. A strong, passionate filmmaker who deserves at last his "Big Break"! Five stars and Bravo!
    10rcastle16

    This Film is the real Hollywood story, Keep up the great Work!

    Tony Zierra magnificently puts to screen the real story of four roommates trying to make a name for themselves in Hollywood. While one maybe "destined" for greatness, others struggle through their potential - that may never surface… This is a genuine movie, featuring a world within Hollywood we all wish to have an inside look at.

    The film takes the viewer through so many emotional levels, you can't help but feel the pain that success brings to someone who is not quite ready for it.

    Brilliantly directed and masterfully set up. This is one of the best true Hollywood films, and it will remain that way.

    More like this

    Filmworker
    7.4
    Filmworker

    Related interests

    Dziga Vertov in Man with a Movie Camera (1929)
    Documentary

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Connections
      Features Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss (1998)

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 19, 2009 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Minu suur läbimurre
    • Filming locations
      • Canada
    • Production companies
      • MBB Group
      • Mantic Eye
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 41m(101 min)
    • Color
      • Color

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.